A dear little old lady once frivolously asked me, "Do you all have the Fourth of July in Africa?" I decided to give a comical response. "No," I said, "In Africa, we go directly from the third to the fifth of July."  I'm surprised she didn't knock my lights out. Now I stand on the fifth--on the grounds that it might incriminate me! Seriously, I did catch the drift of her question, but I just wanted to have a little innocent fun. After she processed my answer, she burst out laughing which sent the rest of us into hysterics, too.

 

Celebrating July 4th this past Wednesday reminds us that America is still the greatest country in the world. Her citizens are, undoubtedly, the most blessed and patriotic of all nations on earth. Of course, "America is the land of the free because of the brave." When the military band plays the National Anthem and "Old Glory" flutters in the early morning breeze, chills run up and down one's spine. The courageous expression, "And our Flag was still there," leaves a lump in one's throat. It is a pledge to permanence and a salute to the determination to win the victory over the forces of evil.

 

On Wednesday, July 4, 2007, "the rockets' red flare" lifted the spirit of the nation from theundane to the sublime.  It is just such a pity that the homeland's greatest threat is not from without but from within. Self-serving politicians appear bent on jettisoning every virtue that made and makes America great  and unique on the world's stage. Someone said recently, "You can lead a politician to Washington, but you can't make him think!" God bless America and spare us all from renegade politicians.

 

The Church of Christ, on the other hand, is not a democracy, but a monarchy--a kingdom, Colossians 1:12-13. Our true citizenship is in heaven, Philippians 3:20. Our king is Jesus, John 18:33-36, and His banner (the spiritual "Old Glory") over us is love, cf. Song of Solomon 2:4.  Jesus built the church on Himself, the Rock of Ages and pledged its permanence, Matthew 16:18. If you're proud to be an American (and you have every right to be), you can  be even prouder that you're a Christian. You're a citizen in an eternal kingdom. Unfortunately for America, the whole world (the elements) will be destroyed by fire and the whole earth will be laid bare when the Lord returns, 2 Peter 3:10-11. But our "house [inheritance] is eternal in the heavens," 2 Corinthians 5:1. Jesus has prepared that place for us. He will come again and receive us unto Himself, John 14:2-3. We have a trip planned for us that will be more exciting than a rocket trip to the moon. We will be "caught up together with Him in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord," 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

 

After the "fireworks" of the annihilation of the elements, our world will be reduced to mist and smoke.  But guess what? Our flag will still be there. His banner over us is love and love is permanent not passing, 1 Corinthians 13:13. No wonder we have reason to take pride in our destination. But beware of those who would undermine the faith and subvert our destination. You can also lead them to the altar but you can't make them think. The principles that make America great are Biblical. Let's do our part to retain them. Let's be courageous and courteous, speaking the truth in love, Ephesians 4:15. When all that the world values will be gone, it should bolster our confidence to know that "our flag will still be there". 

 

Love you all, 

Al - "The Horne of Africa".

 

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